Chinee

Seasonal Concerns

Summer:
Summer brings its own set of challenges when it comes to inflatables. Heat isn't a problem for inflatables, but storms of various sorts can certainly do major damage. The most common threat to your inflatable during the summer months however, is wind!
During a storm, lightening can stop your inflatable in its tracks in several ways. If the power goes out so will your blower, which means your balloon will deflate. The high winds that often come with storms can tear tether straps or anchor points on your inflatable. Unsecured objects can also hit your inflatable tearing or otherwise damaging the material.
You would do well to monitor weather forecasts several days prior to the scheduled use of your inflatable and, of course, pick the most optimal days possible. However, if you notice dark clouds beginning to form in the distance, go ahead and deflate your balloon prior to the storm developing.
It's best to not only deflate cold-air inflatables, but also to roll up the balloon and secure it. Once the storm has passed, it is advisable to re-inflate and allow the balloon to completely dry before packing it away. NEVER LEAVE A WET INFLATABLE PACKED UP - IT WILL MOLD AND ROT.
We never recommend deflating DURING a storm.
Once high winds are in progress, deflation (or inflation for that matter) is very dangerous. The inflatable could easily get away from you or literally take flight with you in tow resulting in serious injury. The cost of an inflatable is a small price to pay to ensure your safety and the safety of others. If a storm is in progress, leave your inflatable and seek shelter for yourself.
As mentioned earlier, heat isn't a problem for inflatables. Heat can cause problems, however, with the environment surrounding your inflatable. Take caution when inflating your balloon on hot asphalt (or asphalt rooftops). These surfaces can often have spots of melted tar that can possibly stain, stick to, tear, melt and otherwise harm your inflatable. It's important to protect the inflatable by setting it on a tarp for inflation, usage and deflation. This will prevent the tar from sticking to the inflatable.
If you pay attention to your surroundings and the weather, and take a few precautionary steps toward keeping your inflatable protected, you should have a safe and profitable summer season.
It's Spring Cleaning Time, Should You Machine or Hand Wash your Inflatables?
Annual maintenance is a must to keep your inflatable working properly and looking its best. For those balloons that are used frequently, more regular cleanings are recommended. Keeping your inflatable clean will not only increase its life by preventing mold, mildew and the general stink factor, but it will do wonders for its appearance as well. We've seen amazing transformations of older, dirty inflatables after professional cleaning, both by hand washing and commercial machines. The question is, when do you clean your inflatable by hand, and when do you have it washed in a commercial machine?
The following are points to consider when making your decision. Commercial machines cannot remove mildew or roof tar; yet they are very effective at removing roof grease, mud and almost any other type of airborne dirt. In addition, inflatables appear at least 50% cleaner with machine washings as opposed to hand washings. Another advantage to machine washing is the ability to clean uniformly. Even the most meticulous hand cleaning job will invariably have spotty, areas where more concentrated cleaning took place. Machine washing, however, tends to be around 1 1/2 times more expensive than hand washing. Also, commercial machines are not recommended for washing inflatables with elaborate artwork. Some artwork has been known to chip, peel or melt in the machine washing process.
While we lean toward machine washing for most inflatables, be sure to consult with a reputable manufacturer to determine if commercial washing is right for your balloon. Normal inflatable cleanings can run between $150-$400 - a very reasonable cost to preserve an investment of thousands
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